Your car and its mobile app are probably handing over all kinds of data to tech companies
A study by Northeastern University and Consumer Reports reveals that modern connected vehicles and their companion apps collect extensive personal data. This information is frequently shared with third-party advertisers and data brokers, creating detailed consumer profiles that are difficult for users to avoid.
Why it matters
It highlights a significant privacy gap in the automotive industry, where vehicle connectivity features are being leveraged for pervasive surveillance and data monetization.
Modern-day vehicles built with connected car technology such as WiFi and GPS collect reams of data about its owners. And that data is not staying private, according to a new study conducted by researchers at Northeastern University.
That conclusion isn’t new — there have been numerous investigations and lawsuits exposing how driving data is collected and shared with third parties, including insurance companies. What the study reveals is just how vast the problem is and how hard it is for consumers to avoid, short of not using the vehicle or its convenient features like remote start and unlock.
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